Gillibrand wants food-aid cuts dropped from farm bill

Tuesday

May 7, 2013 at 3:21 PMMay 7, 2013 at 3:23 PM

As the farm bill legislation approaches the Senate floor, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., vowed Tuesday to marshal opposition to $4.1 billion worth of cuts to food-stamp spending that it contains.Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said during a conference call that while she recognized a need to reduce government spending, economizing shouldn’t be at the expense of children, seniors and veterans.“We will fight them and make it a moral issue,” Gillibrand said of opponents in the Senate and House of Representatives.The full Senate could begin its debate of the $500 billion Farm Bill next week, after it clears the Agriculture Committee.Gillibrand’s priorities in the proposed legislation include:- Expanding rural broadband to help farmers market their products.- Upgrading specialty crop insurance protections for fruit and vegetables growers.- Eliminating duplicative inspection fees for apple farmers.- Equipping farmers markets with computer terminals to process Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) benefits.She also supports competitive federal grants for non-profit groups, agricultural extension services, and state and local agencies that provide assistance to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs.Gillibrand said during the call that she wanted to reauthorize the Rural Economic Area Partnership, which could benefit Sullivan County and the Town of Wawarsing in Ulster County. The program gives priority access to federal funds for economic development and job creation in struggling rural communities.James Walsh